The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Kankarofi, has called for stronger collaboration and improved information sharing among stakeholders to enhance the implementation of the Safer Schools Initiative across the state.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat.
According to the statement, the Commissioner made the appeal during a meeting with education stakeholders and key players in the sector at the Command headquarters.
Afusat explained that the meeting was in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to strengthen the security of educational institutions and ensure a safer learning environment for students and teachers nationwide.
The meeting brought together members of the Kogi State Senior Secondary Education Board, representatives of secondary school principals, officials of the State Universal Basic Education Board, as well as teachers from primary and secondary schools across the state.
Discussions focused on school safety, crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and ways to deepen cooperation between schools, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Participants were also sensitised on the need to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities, and support efforts aimed at protecting students, teachers and school facilities.
Speaking during the engagement, Kankarofi described schools as vital institutions that must be adequately protected to guarantee effective teaching and learning.
He noted that the threat of attacks on schools and the abduction of students by criminal elements requires a collective response involving government agencies, school authorities, parents, community leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders.
The Commissioner stressed that preventing the kidnapping of students and school personnel remains a major priority for the Nigeria Police Force and a key objective of the Safer Schools Initiative.
He said the success of the initiative depends largely on sustained collaboration, effective information sharing, improved security measures around schools and the development of reliable early warning and response systems capable of preventing attacks.
Stakeholders at the meeting highlighted several security concerns affecting schools and communities, including unauthorised access to school premises, youth-related crimes, vandalism and other emerging threats.
They also made recommendations on measures needed to strengthen school security and support the effective implementation of the Safer Schools Initiative in the state.
Kankarofi assured participants of the Command’s commitment to working closely with education authorities and other relevant partners to improve school safety and protect students, teachers and other personnel.
He reiterated that the Kogi State Police Command would continue to deploy proactive policing strategies aimed at preventing attacks on schools and maintaining a secure environment conducive to quality education and national development.